Blog

Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties on Coated and Uncoated Paper Imports

Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties on Coated and Uncoated Paper Imports – An Update on our Continuing Work on Trade in the Paper Sector –

USW Local 787 – Rayonier Advanced Materials – Jessup, GA – Subcontracting Arbitration Award

The employer subcontracted maintenance work. 7 of 14 maintenance support utility workers
had retired and the employer had not filled the vacancies. When the employer

ND Paper to Acquire Resolute Forest Products Recycled Bleached Kraft Pulp Mill in Fairmont, WV for $55 Million

Resolute Forest Products announced that it will be selling its recycled bleached kraft pulp mill in Fairmont, WV to ND Paper for $55 million.

Brokaw Act is Re-Introduced

The Brokaw Act, named for a town that, essentially, collapsed after a former USW-represented Wausau Paper mill closed in Brokaw, WI. The bill has been re-introduced this year as a bi-partisan effort sponsored by Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and co-sponsored by David Perdue (R-GA). If enacted, the legislation could significantly restrict the ability of hedge fund activists to take minority stakes in companies and force them to make major changes.

Overtime Arbitration – Georgia-Pacific – Zachary, LA (Port Hudson Mill)

The employer unilaterally changed the exemption policy used to avoid working
overtime. The employer argued that during a shutdown period, where shift
times are different, workers are not permitted to use exemptions to avoid
overtime since the exemptions only apply to 8 hour shifts and not 12 hours
shifts. The employer also argued that the 12 hour shifts become the regular
hours during a shutdown even if they include overtime, therefore exemptions
cannot be used. The union argued that this was a violation of the CBA since

OSHA’s Mobile-Friendly Publication on Training Requirements is Easy to Use on the Job

OSHA’s
comprehensive guide to Training
Requirements in OSHA Standards is a valuable reference to help
employers, safety and health professionals, and training directors comply with
the law and keep workers safe. However, at more than 250 pages, the printed
version can be cumbersome to carry on some jobsites. OSHA has now made the guide
available in digital formats which can be read on a smartphone or tablet and
easily searched for the standards that apply to specific industries or

Commerce Launches New Trade Probe Against Canadian Paper Imports

On September 22nd, the United States International Trade Commission determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of certain uncoated groundwood paper from Canada that are allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value. Uncoated groundwood paper includes but is not limited to standard newsprint, high bright newsprint, book publishing, directory, and printing and writing papers

INCIDENT ALERT

USW Local 364 – Graphic Packaging – West Monroe, LA

Company Cited for Machine Guarding and Other Violations

USW Local 2-1017 – Dunn Paper – Port Huron, MI

Tracking On-the-Job Injuries is Easier than Ever

Knowledge is power, and when it comes to health and safety, knowledge has the power to save lives. For decades, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has required companies to provide health and safety reports for review. Starting February 2017, that information will be made public on OSHA’s website.

International Paper – Orange, TX

On December 29, 2016, three USW members of local 13-391 were injured while working at International paper in Orange, TX. The complete details are not known at this time but preliminary information is that the employees were taking a refractometer out of a black liquor line and the refractometer blew out. One of the employees was in the process of removing a K-Patent Process Refractometer from a black liquor line for a routine six month cleaning with two other co-workers. During the cleaning, 247-degree black liquor unexpectedly blew out of the line.